Navigating Disability

How does a globe-trotting NBA executive become a powerhouse disability advocate? In this deeply moving episode, Phil Hayes-Brown, CEO of Wallara  and devoted father to Phoebe, his nonverbal daughter who lives with an intellectual disability, shares the inspiring personal journey that transformed his path from corporate boardrooms to compassionate care rooms. Phil opens up about the realities of being a full-time carer, the evolutio...

What does it really mean to provide neuroaffirming support for young people with disabilities? In this heartfelt and eye-opening episode of Navigating Disability, we sit down with Breanna Jenkins, founder of Soul Support, to unpack her journey as a late-diagnosed autistic woman, carer, and disability advocate.

From lived experience to founding a thriving support agency, Breanna shares how feeling safe and seen can transform the live...

In this raw episode of Navigating Disability, hosts Kate Read and Jenn Abbott sit down with Bruce Simpson, a seasoned trial lawyer, disability advocate, and survivor of a profound mental health crisis.

Bruce opens up about what led to the moment his life nearly ended. A missed court deadline during recovery from a brain bleed, a career built on perfectionism, and decades of silent suffering brought him to the edge. But when his...

In this profoundly moving episode, we sit down with Giuliana Ferretti, mother, advocate, Advanced Enrolled Nurse, and founder of both Plan Wise Living and the not for profit charity Genovation. During this deeply personal conversation we discuss raising her daughter Gabriella, who lives with a rare genetic disorder. Giuliana shares how a mother’s gut instinct defied medical doubt, how love evolved into full time care, and how she’s...

What happens when you spend 27 years hiding a part of yourself the world told you to be ashamed of?

In this raw and powerful episode, Chris Ruden opens up about growing up with a limb difference, the emotional toll of internalised ableism, and the liberating journey toward radical self-acceptance. From years of hiding his hand, even from romantic partners, to a viral moment that sparked a wave of disability pride, Chris's story...

What happens when you live with a disability no one can see, and few believe?

In this deeply moving episode of Navigating Disability, Chanelle Morris shares her powerful journey from shame and silence to self-acceptance and advocacy. Born with only 30% vision and legally blind in one eye, Chanelle’s condition remains undiagnosed and invisible to the world around her. Growing up, she felt forced to hide her struggles, enduring judgme...

What does it take to transform trauma into triumph? In this inspiring episode of Navigating Disability, we speak with Chris Davis, an elite para-archer, mental health professional, and proud husband. Paralysed at five due to a polio-type virus, Chris recounts his early years, 25-year career in Queensland Health, and his groundbreaking gold medal win at the 2023 World Archery Championships. From training with a single arm to confron...

Laura Lewis is a woman of resilience, revolution, and relentless love. In this emotionally rich episode, Laura shares her journey of being a late-diagnosed autistic and ADHD adult, a mental health survivor, and an advocate who turned adversity into action. From experiencing a traumatic breakdown to rising as a fierce champion for her son Clay, a young autistic entrepreneur, Laura’s story reveals the transformative power of radical ...

What happens when a life-changing injury collides with an unshakable dream? In this unforgettable episode, we sit down with Dr. Dinesh Palipana, the first quadriplegic medical intern in Queensland, as he shares his powerful story of loss, resilience, and redefining what’s possible.

Born during civil war in Sri Lanka, Dinesh immigrated to Australia at age 10. After completing a law degree and battling depression he found his calling ...

What happens when your child’s autism diagnosis becomes the mirror that reveals your own? In this moving and empowering episode, we sit down with Mel Spencer OAM—fierce Autistic advocate, CEO of Different Journeys, and mum to three Autistic teens.

Mel shares her personal journey from initial resistance to diagnosis, through grief, PTSD, and burnout, to building an award-winning support organisation. Her lived experience—both as...

What happens when the world tells you you're too different to belong—but you build a space anyway? In this powerful and vulnerable episode, we sit down with Storm Hassett: queer, neurodivergent, Indigenous leader and founder of The Identity Clinic. From navigating the complexities of foster care to founding a revolutionary mental health service for LGBTQIA+ people, Storm shares their story of grit, growth, and grace. We explor...

What if the thing you thought would break you… actually made you unstoppable?

At just four years old, Peter Dempsey experienced a life-altering stroke that took away his ability to walk, speak, and connect. Doctors had no answers. His parents were told to prepare for the worst. But Peter chose a different path—one of relentless curiosity, quiet rage, and unshakable hope.

In this extraordinary episode of Navigating Disability, Kate an...

What happens when a life of systemic exclusion fuels a passion for transformative leadership? In this powerful episode, Kate and Jenn sit down with El Gibbs, newly appointed CEO of DANA and longtime disability rights advocate, writer, and policy strategist. El shares her journey from early medical trauma and poverty to discovering a place of belonging in the disability community—and ultimately becoming a national leader. With unfli...

Today on Navigating Disability, we welcome the unstoppable Seamus Evans—comedian, speaker, and neurodiversity champion.  Diagnosed with Tourette’s Syndrome and ADHD as a child, Seamus shares his remarkable journey of overcoming bullying, embracing self-acceptance, and breaking societal stereotypes around disability. With humor, candor, and vulnerability, he unpacks what it means to live unapologetically and how mindset can transfor...

Robb Evans on Losing His Daughter to Anorexia | Eating Disorder Advocacy & Liv’s Legacy

In this powerful and emotional podcast episode, we sit down with Robb Evans—high-performance coach, health strategist, and father—who shares the heartbreaking story of losing his 15-year-old daughter, Liv, to anorexia.

What started as subtle warning signs spiraled into 40+ hospital admissions, medical misdiagnoses, and systemic healthcare fail...

What does it mean to lose a part of yourself—physically and emotionally—and still rise to fight for others? In this raw and deeply human episode of Navigating Disability, we sit down with advocate, speaker, and changemaker Skye Shannon, whose journey from living with Spina Bifida to becoming an amputee will stay with you long after the episode ends.

Skye opens up about growing up in a small town where she didn’t feel different—until...

This week on Navigating Disability, we’re joined by Robbie Phelan—carpenter by trade, changemaker by mission, and Director and Founder of Modular Transport Access Solutions (MODTAS). Based in Melbourne, Robbie is leading a quiet revolution in transport accessibility—and it all started with a personal tragedy and a simple idea.

After witnessing preventable incidents on public transport and reflecting on the loss of a family...

*Trigger Warning: This show mentions trauma, suicide, depression, mental health and societal conditioning. If you or anyone you know needs help, call 13 11 14 in Australia*

Dr Richard Fejo, better known as Richie, is a Larrakia man of direct male descent, through his father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

Dr Fejo has devoted his life to improving education and health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait I...

Strap yourself in for this show where all the touchy subjects are touched! Work, friendship, sex, dating, love, inclusivity, discrimination, people of colour, disability.... And so much more!! 

As super candid and raw conversation with one of the most inspiring humans talking about all the subjects we keep behind closed doors and are too scared to normalise! 


Meet Jordan Jarrett Bryan.... Wow! What a show!